How to Write a Good Story

There is an art to writing a good story. How many times have you seen a movie or read a book and felt like something was missing? This is due to the fact that there is a basic formula or standard key elements that you should include when you are writing a story. These key elements work whether you're writing a book, a short story, a movie or anything else that has a story line to follow. A good story always has these same elements.

The first thing you need obviously are characters. Who or what is going to be involved in the story and the events that unfold. It's always more interesting if your characters have specific memorable traits about them. A man that wears glasses is much less interesting as a character than a tall, thin man that wears black sunglasses. Be specific about what your characters look like. This will give them more depth and make your story more realistic.

You are also going to need a setting in a good fiction story. The setting is where the story takes place. Most stories have more than one setting. Again, be descriptive about where it takes place. Usually in the setting you also include the time, whether it be a certain time of day or a specific time of year. Adding this detail makes your setting more vivid and clear to your audience.

The best thing about a story is having a problem. You need a problem or something to overcome in order for it to be a good story. This part of the plot is usually what drives the story along and adds excitement and interest to it. Whether it be a villain, a personal issue, or even an event that has affected the characters, you're definitely going to need a problem to make your story appealing to your audience.

A good story also has a few main events that highlight what's going on. It could be a wedding, an accident, a party, a fight or whatever. Add a few unforgettable main events and your story will have most of what it needs to be interesting to an audience. I have seen movies or read books that have a small or easy to overcome problem but the events that took place surrounding the problem were far more interesting and memorable than the problem itself. The events are what an audience remembers about a good story.